Magic Hat #9 6Pk

Magic Hat #9 6Pk is a 6-pack of 12 oz bottles of Vermont-brewed pale ale infused with apricot essence at 4.6% ABV. Brewed by Magic Hat Brewing Company since 1994, this flagship expression earned strong marks from The Beer Connoisseur®, scoring 22/24 on aroma and 34/40 on flavor — a testament to its distinctive fruit-forward character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.6%  |  Origin: South Burlington, Vermont, USA  |  Style: Pale Ale with Apricot  |  Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Magic Hat Brewing Company was founded in 1994 in South Burlington, Vermont, and quickly built a reputation for off-beat, experimental brewing. #9 is built on a grain bill of English 2-Row Pale and Crystal malts, hopped with a combination of Tettnang, Cascade, and Columbus varieties. What separates it from standard pale ales is the addition of apricot essence during production — a defining ingredient that gives #9 an aroma and flavor profile unlike anything else in its category.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with an intense wave of ripe apricot, followed by subtle grainy caramel from the Crystal malt. Underneath, delicate pear esters and mild herbal hop notes add complexity without overwhelming the fruit character.

Taste: On entry, the apricot hits immediately — crisp, sweet, and unmistakable. The mid-palate brings more balance as toasty malt and light caramel notes emerge, tempering the fruit. By the peak, the hop bitterness from the Cascade and Tettnang gently anchors everything, keeping the sweetness from running away.

Finish: The finish is dry and surprisingly clean for a fruit-inflected ale, with lingering apricot and a whisper of biscuity malt. It wraps up quickly, encouraging the next sip rather than demanding contemplation.

How to Drink #9

Serve cold, ideally around 40–45°F, in a pint glass or tulip to let the apricot aromatics open up. #9 works well as a standalone session beer, but it also fits into several cocktail-adjacent serves. A Shandy using #9 and fresh lemonade plays off the natural apricot sweetness. A Beer-mosa — replacing champagne in a mimosa with chilled #9 and orange juice — makes a strong brunch companion. A Radler with grapefruit soda highlights the herbal hop character while keeping things light and crushable.

Best For

• Introducing craft beer newcomers to fruit-forward ales
• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather afternoon sessions
• Pairing with lighter fare at a casual dinner party
• Gifting to fans of approachable, flavor-driven craft beer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Magic Hat #9 taste like? Magic Hat #9 leads with bright, ripe apricot sweetness balanced by toasty caramel malt and a clean, dry hop finish. It drinks crisp and refreshing with a fruit-forward character that distinguishes it from conventional pale ales.

How does #9 compare to Blue Moon Belgian White? Both are gateway craft beers with fruit-influenced profiles, but Blue Moon relies on orange peel and coriander within a wheat beer base, while #9 uses apricot essence in a pale ale built on English malts. #9 tends to finish drier and crisper, whereas Blue Moon leans creamier and spicier.

Is #9 good for craft beer beginners? Yes — its approachable 4.6% ABV and smooth apricot sweetness make it an accessible entry point into craft ale without the aggressive hop bitterness that can put off newcomers.

Where is Magic Hat #9 made? Magic Hat #9 is brewed by Magic Hat Brewing Company in South Burlington, Vermont, a brewery founded in 1994 that became one of New England's most recognizable craft brands.

What foods pair well with #9? Grilled chicken or pork — the apricot complements caramelized, smoky proteins. Soft goat cheese — its tanginess contrasts the ale's fruit sweetness. Thai or Vietnamese dishes — the crisp malt backbone stands up to lemongrass and ginger. Stone fruit desserts like peach cobbler echo the apricot notes. Mixed green salads with vinaigrette mirror the beer's dry, refreshing finish.

What sizes does #9 come in? Magic Hat #9 is commonly available in 6-packs of 12 oz bottles, as well as 12-packs and individual 12 oz bottles depending on market availability.

Is #9 worth the price? Magic Hat #9 positions as a mid-range craft pale ale, priced competitively with other widely distributed craft six-packs. Its unique apricot character and sessionable ABV deliver a distinctive drinking experience that stands apart from standard pale ales in the same tier.

Why #9?

In a craft beer landscape flooded with IPAs and hazy ales, Magic Hat #9 remains a genuinely original expression — a pale ale whose apricot essence creates a flavor profile that has no direct equivalent on the market. The English malt base gives it substance, the triple-hop combination provides structure, and the apricot lifts everything into something more interesting than the sum of its parts. With over 243,000 ratings on Untappd and a 3.6 average, it has maintained broad appeal since 1994 without chasing trends. For drinkers looking for a sessionable, fruit-accented ale with real character, #9 continues to deliver exactly what it set out to be.